Signal device for vehicles



sept. 6,1927'.` 1,641,504 S. G. RICHARDS SIGNAL DEVICE FOR VEHICLES Filed Mrch 29. 1927 wnltrl/flllmmms Patented Sept. 6, 1927.

UNITED STATES SAMUEL G. RICHARDS, OF DES MOINES, IOWA.

SIGNAL DEVICE For. VEHICLES.

Application mea March 29, 1927.

This invention relates to thatv class of signal devices especially designed for use onr automobiles and to be operated manually for indicating to others whether the operator intends to turn to the right or left or to stop.

My object is to provide a signal device of this character of' simple, durable and inexpensive construction, that may be operated conveniently by the operator, and which will accurately position the indicating mark or name in its prop-er position relative to the illuminated portion, and in which theop erator may know by the movement of the operating knob just when the indicator is in its proper position relative to the trans parent portion.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fullyset forth, pointed` out in my claim, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a signal embodying my invention.

Figure 2 shows a horizontal sectional View of same, and shows a top or plan view of same with the casing shown in section.

Figure 3 shows a side elevation of same with the casing shown in section; and

Figure t shows an enlarged detail` view partly in section showing the manually operated device for turning the indicator device.

of the frame is a rotatable shaft 12 having thereon cylindrical pulley body 13, which may be made of wood, hard rubber 0r the like. Fixed to each side of this pulley body 13 is a `disk 15 of transparent material such as mica. At three points in each transparent Figure 5 shows a reduced illustration ofl In the central portion of the circular partk Serial No. 179,276.-

disk there is provided a signal mark, the central one preferably having the signal mark Stop, and the end ones preferably having arrows. These disks are firmly connected with each other by means of ametal brace 16 rigidly uniting them and the disks are also fixed to the ends of the pulley body 13. Fixed to the outer frame are two stops 17. Each is preferably made with a cushion surface of leather yor the like 18, and fixed to the cross brace 16 is a cushion member 19 designed to engage with the cushion members 18, and thereby limit the movement of the rotary disks. Supported within the spacebet-ween the disks is an electric lamp 2O fixed to a-bracket 21. y

At the opposite end of the casing there isa shaft 22 having a knob 23 at its outer end, and a pulley 2li fixed to its inner end. This shaft is capable of sliding, as well as of rotary movement.l A spring 25 is interposed between one end of the pulley 24 and the adjacent wall of the casing to yieldingl f hold the shaft with the knob 23 at its outer limit of movement, and formed in the casing or frame are three round openings 26, shown in Figure 4 and by dotted lines in Figure 3, and fixed to the pulley 24 is a round pin 27, designed to enter said openings one at a time.

For operating the pulley member 13 from the Vpulley member 24, I preferably provide a flexible chain or belt 28, which is wound one or more turns upon the pulley 13, and pinned securely to it to prevent slipping, and then passed around the pulley 24, to which it is also securely pinned' to prevent slipping. In theA central portions of the upper and lower portions of the chain 28 are springs 29, to apply tension to the chains and prevent them from becoming lax l through use, or rattling. A switch 30, or the like, is provided for controlling the current to the lamp 20.

, It is obvious that my improved signal device is of extremely simple and inexpensive construction, and may be made of very simple and inexpensive materials, and quickly and easily assembled. It is easily installed and exceedingly useful as a safety precaution in driving automobiles.

In practical use, and assuming that the device is attached to an automobile, the light may be turned on and will show through the glass covered part of the casing or frame. Then the operator grasps the knob and lirst pushes it forwardly until the pin 27 is :tree trom the opening 26. He then rotates it until the desired signal appears through the illuminated glass covered opening, and until the lock 1S engages the lock 17 when the pin 27 enters the adjacent opening 26, which is so positioned that vhen these locks contact and the pin does enter, the signal will be held firmly centered inthe mica covered opening. After the automobile has either stopped or turned to the right or left, as indicated by the signal, the operator shuts ott' the lamp and turns the rotary disk to its normal position.

This operationis made very easily because the cushion device 19 will strike one or the other of the cushion devices 18 when the signal device is turned, so that one of thearrows appears `through the glass covered opening. The pin 27 is luset'ul when the device is in any of its positions, because it locks the rotating member and prevents it troni being accidentally displaced, yet it is readily and easily unlocked when the operator grasps the knob 25, because he first pushes the knob forwardly and thus releases the pin 27. The springs 29 perform a useful purpose in that they ykeep both ot the straight runs of the chain 28 tightly stretched so that the cushion 18 is held, under tension ot the springtirmly against the cushion 17, preventingvany misplaceinent or inaccuracy in the signal, or any rattling of loose parts. These springs also serve as adjusters whiclrwill prevent the signal from being tilted either way from its normal position.

.I claim as my invention:

In a device of the class described, the com bination of a casing having an opening therein through which a signal may be viewed, a signal device within the casing comprising a` disk, two signal `marks upon the disk, a pulley iixed to the disk, two stop devices lixed to the casing, a stop device tixed to the disk and capable ot successively engaging said stop devices fixed to the casing, a second. pulley mounted inthe casing, a handle for turning it, means for locking it in two positions ot its movement, a flexible connecting member passed around the pulleys, and having two portions tliere- I.

oi' extended between thepulleys, and a contractile coil spring in each ot' said portions et the tiexible connecting member between the pulleys7 said parts being so arranged relative to each other that when the stop device carried by the disk is in engagementwith one of thestop devices carried by the casing, one of the signal marks on the disk will be accurately centered relative toV the position by the resiliency ot one of Vthe springs, and at the same time theA second 7,60 opening-in the casing and firmly held in this 

